Bolstering of Arktika-M satellite constellation will improve Northern Sea Route monitoring - Russian PM

DOLGOPRUDNY. April 22 (Interfax) - Steps to reinforce Russia's constellation of Arctic weather satellites will help boost the quality of Russia's round-the-clock monitoring of the Northern Sea Route, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said.

"Further reinforcing the group of Arktika M-class satellites and others will give us an opportunity to ensure the Northern Sea Route's round-the-clock monitoring of the highest quality. This was not available previously," Mishustin said when viewing a geophysics and space monitoring display ahead of a board meeting of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet).

Arktika-M satellites are designed to transmit up-to-the-minute information and help prepare weather forecasts for Russia's northern regions.

Roshydromet head Igor Shumakov, who showed Mishustin around the exhibition, said that the satellites are a source of pride.

"When we launched the satellite, we received the first congratulations from American colleagues," Shumakov said.